Bottle-soaking apparatus.



PATENTED APR. 19, 1904.

W. B. WRIGHT.

BOTTLE SOAKING APPARATUS.

' APPLIOATIUN FILED APR. 20, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H0 MODEL.

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, No. 757,535. PATBNTED APR. 19, 1904.

W. B. WRIGHT.

BOTTLE SOAKING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED PR. 20, 1903. N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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PATBNTE'D APR. 19,1904.

. W. B. WRIGHT. BOTTLE SQAKING APPARATUS.

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' APPLICATION FILED APB. 20,1903. l 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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No. 757,535. PATENTED APR.19,-19o4.

w. B. WRIGHT. 1

BOTTLE SOAKING APPARATUS.

. .u NPI D l`.fao 1903. No MODEL. PLIUATIO u APB 4sHEBTs-sHBm 4.

UNITED STATES Patented April 19, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

WALTER B. WRIGHT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO E. GOLDMAN t l COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION ILLINOIS.

BOTTLE -SOAKI NG APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 757,535, dated April 19, 1904.

application {iled'Apri'l 20, 1903. Serial No.153,472. Clio model.)

To allv whom, t may concern;

Be it known that I, WALTERB. WRIGHT, of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottlc-Soaking Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bottle-soaking apparatus, and refers more specically to an endless carrier system and associated soaking and washing tanks through which the bottles are conveyed' progressively for the purpose of soaking and rinsing the same.

Among the salient objects of the invention are toprovide an apparatus by means of which the soaking and rinsing is to a very large degree rendered automatic; to provide a construction and arrangement by means of which groups of bottles held in crates may be connected to an endless carrier as the latter moves past a delnite charging-point, which crates, with their contained'bottles, will be automatically discharged at a denite delivery-point after the soaking and 4rinsing has been completed; to provide a construction and arrangement'in which the soaking and rinsing is effectively performed hy repeated filling and emptying operations as the bottles pass through successive tanks or tank-compartments; to provide an improved carrier into which a crate of a construction now in common use may be inserted with4 the utmost facility and will be readily locked therein until positively released; to provide,in conjunction with an endless carrier, mechanism for automatically reversing the positions of-the crates at certain points'in the travel of the carrier for purposes hereinafter explained, and in gen-.

eral to provide improvements in the details `of construction and arrangement of the several instrumentalities constituting a complete apparatus.

To the above ends the invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and the invention'will be readily understood from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawlngs, 1n which-- Figurel is a View 1n side elevation of a com-y :end elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig vl. Fig. 4 is a detail side e'levationof one of the carriers. Fig. 5 is a plan View of one of the carriers, with parts in horizontal section, taken in a plane of the axis of rotation of the carrier. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the release mechanism of one of the carriers. Fig. 7 is a detail generally similar to that shown in Fig. 5, but showing one of the held-crates in position in the'carrier. Fig. 8 isa view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. I and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 9 is a detail side elevation of the gate-cam.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the rinsing-tank, 2 the soaking-tank, and 3 an endless conveyor which is guided -to travel through both tanks and is provided at intervals apart withcarriers, (designated as a whole 4.) In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown herein the'soaking and rinsing tanks are located'on different levels` the soaking-tank being elevated somewhat above and resting upon the ground floor, while the rinsing-tank is correspondingly elevated above and rests upon thesecond iioor.

5 designates a slightly-elevated platform located adjacent to a vertical and upwardly-running portion ofthe conveyer-belt 3, that portion of the conveyer-belt opposite the platform being for convenience of description hereinafwardly through a suitable opening in the upi vper working floor to the rinsing-tank. Suit-v able pairs of guide-pulleys(designated, respectively, 10, 11, 12,13, 'and 14) serve to carry-the conveyor belt in its undulatory path through the several compartments of the soaking-tank.` The conveyor-belt passes roo over a pair of guide-pulleys 15, mounted upon the upper edge of the rinsing-tank, thence downwardly around a pair of guidepulleys 16 within the rinsing tank, from there upwardly over a pair of drive-pulleys 17, and again downwardly around a pair of guide-pulleys 18, and finally up over a pair of pulleys 19 at the opposite end of the rinsingtank. Just as the belt passes from the pair of guide-pulleys 19 the carriers encounter tripping mechanism, which opens the carriers successively and permit them to discharge their crates andcontained bottles automatic ally. This point will therefore be designated the unloading-point.? The belt in leaving the pulleys 19 is deected and passes by a pair of guide-pulleys 20, located just'beneath the inclined chute members" 2l, which receive the discharged crates, and immediately below the pulleys 20 empty crates arel reinserted in vthe carriers in order that they may be conveyed back to the po'intlwhere the crates are filled, which is just below the platform 5 at the loading-point. Froml the guide-pulleys 2O the conveyer belt passes downwardly through the working iioor around a pair of guide-pulleys 22, thence horizontally to and around guide-pulleys 23, thence vertically downward again and around guide-pulleys 24, and from there horizontally beneath the soaking-tank and up around a pair of guide-pulleys 25.

Describing now in detail one of the carriers 4, (all of the carriers being alike in construction,) and referring more particularly to Figs. 4to 7, inclusive, each carrier is in the present instance adapted to receive and hold three crates, each of which is designated as a whole `26, lpreferably of the form'known as the i pair ofV supporting-.plates 31 31', and upon the inner faces of the end-frame members 27 of the main frame are mounted similar plates 32, these plates 31, 3l', and 32 being all similar in shape in end elevation and of oblong shape, as seen clearly in Fig. 4. Upon the plates 31, 31', and 32 are mounted pairs of -angle-pieces 33 33', each pair being spaceda'part at a suitable distance to provide an intervening channel or way 34, adapted to receive the edge of the main supporting-plate 26 of one ofV the crates, and the pairs of angle-pieces on each cartles.

'upper ends a roller 40.

rier-frame member are arranged in horizontal alinement withl each other, so as to receive and support the opposite ends of the crate. These Eick crates, as best 'shown in detail, Fig. 7, each consist, essentially, of the main plate 26', hereinbefore referred to, and a parallel confining-plate 35, said plates being rigidly united and spaced apart by means of a plurality of space-bolts 36. The main plate 26 is provided with a vseriesof apertures adapted to receive the body portions of the bottles, While the conning-plate 35 is provided with a similar series of smaller-apertures arranged to register with the apertures of the main plate and serving to hold the bottles from dropping through the crate when the latter is in inverted position,lbut permitting the bottles to escape therefrom freely when the crate is reversed. Inasmuch as the carriers are reversed repeatedlyin the travel of the conveyer-belt, it is necessary to provide means for preventing the bottles from escaping from the crates, and accordingly each carrier is provided with a series of guard-plates 37, which are respectively secured to the main frame 27, but extend parallel with and opposite the several main plates of the crates adjacent to the butt-ends of the bot- Y The crates are shoved edgewise into the several carriers and are arrested and held in proper position by means of stops 38, located at the back ends of the several ways, as best seen in Fig. 4.

Describing next the vgate mechanism, by means of which the crates are confined in position within the carriers until said mechan'ism is automatically tripped andthe gates thrown open, 39 designates a gate member which is L-shaped in side elevation, as seen in Fig. 4, and is of U shape in elevation, as seen in Fig. 5, and carries journaled between its The lower -end of said gate member is rigidly attached to'and carried by a'plate-spring 41, which is in turn secured rigidly to the underside of thefoverhanging flange of the lower channel member 33', as shown clearly in Fig. 6. The horizontal portion of the gate member 39 is provided with transverse bearing-apertures 42, and through the 'bearing-apertures 4Q is arranged to extend a rock-shaft 43, a pair of said gate members being mounted upon each cross-bar 30,'so that thetwo -ends of each shaft 43 are carried in the two gate members pertaining to the respective compartments of the carrier.

Upon the shaft 43 between the two sides of each gate member is rigidly mounted a cam-block 44, which cam-block, as best seen in Fig. 6, is of oblong shape, provided with parallel upper and lower sides 45 and 46, respectively, and rounded ends 47 and 48. rlhe upper side A of each cam-block bears against the overhanging 'iiange portion 33 of the angle member, While'its under side is in lbearingwith the bottom of the gate member in such manner that when the rock-'shaft is turned the cam IOO IIO

ISZSl l trip-stops mounted adjacent to the path of travel of the conveyer-belt, as will be hereinafter described. During certain parts of the travel of the conveyer-belt itis necessary to reverse the carriers by turning them on their trunnions, and in order that the carriers may be heldin whatever position to which they are thus turned a friction-plate is provided on one of the conveyer-belt chains adjacent to the lend of each carrier and united rigidly .with the journal-link 29, conveniently by means of screw-bolts 51, as shown in Fig. 5. With each friction-plate is arranged to coperate a springpressed plunger 52, mounted within the end frame of the corresponding carrier.l the end of the plunger being arranged to impinge against the face ofthe friction-plate, as shown clearly in Fig; 5. In order that the carrier may be held more certainly in denite positions, the friction-plate is provided at dial metrically opposite points and in vertical alinement with the conveyer-belt with concave recesses 53, which the end of the plunger is adapted to engage. The crates are inserted in the carriers at the loading-point with bottles in inverted position, as shown in Fig. 7, andV it will be seen by tracing the course of the conveyer-belt that the crates are naturally inverted, so that the bottles pass downwardly into each compartment of the rinsing-tank butt-end first and are inverted and rise with their necks directed downwardly, so as to empty as they leave thecompartment. same relations exist in the travel of the carriers through the rinsing-tank; but as the crates must be discharged from the carriers with the bottles in inverted, position, so as to prevent theV latter from falling from the crates at the unloading point, it is necessary to provide means for rotating thecarriers a halfrevolution on their trunnions as they pass over Y the guide-pulleys 19.5' `Accordingly each carv rier is provided upon oneoi'its trunnions with a rigidly-connected spur-gear 54, and upon the standard which supports the pulley 19 at the corresponding side of the conveyer-belt is rigidly mounted an internal toothed gear-segment 55, which has a suiiicientnumber of teeth to rotate the gear 54 exactly one-half revolution as the gear travels past the segment. inasmuch as it-isnecessary'tol rotate the carriers Aanother halfrevolution before they can reach the loading-point, a second similar segment 56 is mounted upon the sup- TheA porting-bracket which supports the gu ide-pulley 23v at the corresponding side of the conveyer-belt.

Describing now more particularly the construction and arrangement of the chute members 2l and the trip-stop mechanism which cooperates with the carriers to discharge the.

angle-irons arranged parallel with each other and, in inclined position, the internal angles 21 of the several pairs of chute members forming ways which receive and guide the crates as the latter are discharged from the carriers. Three pairs of such Ways are provided to correspond to the three compartments of each carrier, as shown clearly in Fig. 6.`

58 designates a series of trip-stops mounted upon the upper ends of therespective ways and severally extending upwardly in position toengage the projecting ends of the corresponding trip-arms 490i the carriers, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. In this connection it is to be noted that the normal angular positions of the trip-arms when thev gate mechanisms are closed and the relation of the upper or engaging ends of the trip-stops to .said arms is such that as the carrier is moved past the receivingways the carrier will be fully opened before it has descended to aV Yposition in alinement with the inclined Ways, as indicated clearly in engage the trip-arms of the-carriers and open the latter as they are passing upwardly and around the guide-pulleys 25 and at a time when the carriers are inclined at approximately forty-iive degrees from thehorizontal.

The conveyer is driven at a relatively slow and substantially uniform speed byV means of anysuitabie driving mechanism, thel driving mechanism being in the present instance conveniently mountedupon the rinsing-tank 1 and arrangedas follows: Upon the shaft 62, which. carries the sprocket 17, over which the conveyer is trained, is mounted a gear 63, with the periphery of which is arranged to inter-Y mesh a second gear 64, mounted upon a snitable stub-shaft 65, and with the latter gear is 'connected a worm-gear 66, which is turn engaged by a Worm, 67 upon the worm-shaft 68. The worm-shaft isniounted in suitable bearings 69 and 70 and-is provided at one endr with fast and loose pulleys 71 7 2, by means of source of power.

IIO

' i As a further feature of the apparatus I provide means for for-cibly spraying the bottles while they are passing over the rinsing-tank in order to dislodge the labels and dirt loosenedby the soaking operation. To this end I the downwardly-moving part of the conyeyer,"

With the sprinkler-head is'connected a supply-pipe 75, the opposite end 76` of which 'is 'connected with the delivery side of a pump designated as a whole 77 and which may conveniently be an Yordinary steam-pump. The receiving side of the pump is preferably placed in communication with the rinsing-tank by means of a pipe 7 8, so' that the liquid used in spraying issimply circulating from the rinsing-tank through the spraying apparatusiand back to the tank. The pump is operated from any'suitable source of steam-supply through a steam-pipe 7 9. Y 1

The operation of the apparatus has been clearly indicated in connection with the description of the construction and arrangement thereof and need not be repeated in detail. It

may be explained, however, that'an operatord standing upon the loading-platform 5 receives the filled crates from an lassistant and shoves them into the carriers as the latter pass, it beingnoted that the carriers will at that time be standing in open position,- having been opened to discharge the empty'crates at the,

discharge-point just below the loading-platform. The loaded carriers pass through the several compartments ofthe soaking-tank, being naturally reversed repeatedly, so that they enter the compartments butt-end down and leave the latter necks down, thus filling and emptying during their' passage to each compartment. operation occurs twice' during their passage through the rinsing-tank. As the carriers leave the rinsing-tank and pass over the guidepulleys 19 they are reversed by the segment 55, so that they arrive at the discharge-point with the bottles inverted` and therefore held in the crates by gravity. The carriers are f discharged at this poi-nt by the trip-stops 58 and slide down the chutes 21 to an operator who empties the crates, while another assistant returns theempty crates to the conveyer The same iilling and emptyingy .pose of'transferring the empty crates back to the refilling-point.

While the apparatus herein shown and described is a preferred embodiment of the invention, yet it will be obvious that the details may be modified without in any sense departing from the invention, and I do not, therefore, limit myself to the details of construction and arrangement shown except to the extent that such details are made the subject of specific claimsL-L I claim as my invention"- y l. In a bottle-soaking apparatus, the combination of a soaking-tank, a flexible endless conveyer, a series of guides over which said con'- veyer travels, arranged to direct the conveyer through theY solution in the soaking-'tank'repeatedly, a seriesoficlarriers mounted upon said endless conveyer,`each adapted to detachably hold a bottle-crate, a gate mechanism upon each carrier adapted to normally hold a crate in position thereiman'd'a trip device mounted adjacent tothe path of travel of the'carrier and operating to automatically open the gate mechanisms of the several carriers to automatically discharge the latter during the progress of the conveyer.

2. In a bottle-soaking apparatus, the combi- IOO receptacles as they are discharged from the I carriers,`substantially as described. l

3. In a bottle-soaking apparatus, the combination of a soaking-tank and a rinsing-tank, an endless conveyer, a series of guides arranged to support and direct `said endless yconveyer through the solutions in the soaking and rinsing tanks, said guides being arranged to eect repeated reversals of the endless conveyer as the latter progresses,a series of carriersmounted at intervals apart upon said 4conveyer each adapted to hold a bodily-removable bottle-receptacle,fa series of bottle-receptacles adapted to said carriers, a gatemechanism upon each carrier adapted to=normally hold a bottle-re- IIO ceptacle in position therein and comprisinga trip-arm, a relatively fixed stop' located adjacent to thepath of the endless conveyer and adapted to cooperate with the trip-arms of the several carriers, andsupports adapted to receive said bottle-receptacles as the latter are discharged from the carrier, for the purpose `set forth. Y

,4. In a bottle-soaking apparatus, the combination of a soaking-tank and a rinsing-tank, an endless flexible conveyer, guide-supports supporting and directing said conveyer and arranged to direct the latter through the solutions in the soaking and rinsing tanks, a series of carriers revolubly mounted upon said endless co-nveyer each adapted to hold a bodilyremovable bottle-holder, means upon each carrier and cooperating means upon a relatively xed support adjacent to the path of travel of the carriers for effecting areversal of the several carriers as they are successively carried past a predetermined point.

5. In abottle-soaking apparatus, the combination of a soaking-tank, an Vendless 'iexible conveyer, guide-supports supporting and di- Y recting said conveyer and arranged to direct the latter through the solutions in the soakingtank, a series of carriers revolubly mounted upon said endless conveyer each adapted to hold a bodily-removable bottle-holder, mechanism upon each carrier for adjustably holding a bottle-holder therein, a cooperating trip device located adjacent to the path of travel of the carriers and adapted to automatically release the holders Within the carriers as the latter pass said trip device.

6. In a bottle soaking and rinsing yapparatus, the combination of a soaking-tank, a rinsing-tank, an endless conveyor, a series of revoluble guide-supports aboutvvhich said conveyer is trained, arranged to direct the convey'er through the soaking and rinsing tanks and to reverse said conveyer in relation to said tanks, a series of carriers revolublymounted upon said endless conveyor to rotate upon axes arranged transversely of the conveyer, a Wheel connected With each carrier concentrically With its axis of rotation, a cooperating reversing member mounted lupon a fixed support adjacent to the path of travel of thefWheels of the carriers and adapted toeiiect areversal A of said carriers as the latter pass, a'series of trip member located .adjacent to the path ofv bottle-holders adapted to said carriers, a gate mechanism upon each carrier arranged to detachably hold a bottle-holder thereinand .pro- 'vided with a tripping, .levjice, a cooperating travel of thel carriers, and linclined Ways arranged to receivethe Vbottle-holders as they are automatically released and ldischarged from the carriers, substantially as described.

7. In a. bottle soaking and rinsing apparatus, thev combination of a soaking-tank, a lrmsing-tank, an endless conveyer, a series of Vstanti'ally as described.

operating reversing member mounted upon fixed support adjacent to the path of travel of the Wheels of the carriers and adapted to effect a reversal of said carrier-sas the latter pass, a l

series of bottle-holders `adapted to said carriers, a gate mechanism upon each carrier arranged` t0 detachablyv hold a bottle-holder 'therein and provided with a tripping device, a cooperating trip member located adjacent to the path of travel of the carriers, inclined Ways arranged to receive the bottle-holders as they are automatically released and discharged from the carriers, a spraying apparatus located in proximity to the conveyer, and means for delivering liquid through said spray apparatus under pressure. I y

8. In a bottle soaking and. rinsing appa-` ratus, the combination of a soaking-tank'and a rinsing-tank, an endless conveyer, guidesupports arranged tosupport and direct said conveyer through both said tanks, a series of carriers upon said conveyer each adapted to detachably hold a bottle-holder, a series of bottle-holders adapted to said carriers, mechanism for automatically effecting the discharge of the bottle-holders from the carriers at a point beyond the rinsing-tank, considered With reference to the circuit of the endless carrier, and other mechanism for automate Yically effecting the' discharge of the bottleholders from the carriers at a point beyond said first-mentioned discharging mechanism and between the latter and the point Where the conveyer enters thesoaking-tank, sub- 9. In a bottle-handling apparatus, the combination with anendless conveyor and means for supporting and actuating the latter, of a carrier mounted upon said conveyer and comprising an open frame provided with alined trunnions revolubly engaging the carrier, par- IOO IOS

allel opposing Ways upon the opposite ends of said carrier, a bottle-crate adapted tofitvvithin said Ways, a detent mechanism f or holdingthe crate against rotation upon Vits trunnionsv in tivo positions j of adjustment, :and means for rGQ-Yablyholdingiisaid bottle-holder in position Within the cai/,arier.` j

10. Ina bottle-handling apparatus, the combination with an endless conveyerl comprising parallel conveyer-chains and mechanism for supporting and actuating said conveyer, of a series of carriers revolubly mounted. upon said conveyer, each comprising an open frame provided at opposite 'ends vvith alined trunnions engaging the conveyer-chains, and opposed parallel Ways upontheinterior of said carrier-frame, aseries of bottle-crates adapted IIO IIS

izov

to said Ways, agate mechanism arranged to j control the entrance-passage to said Ways and provided with a trip-arm, a friction vmember mounted upon one of said conveyer-chains adjacent to` each carrier, a cooperating friction member mounted upon the carrier and Wherei the carriers, a gate mechanism arranged to control the entrance-passage to each compartment of the carrier and a series of bottleholding crates each comprising a main apertured plate adapted to lit at its ends Within the ways of one of the carrier-compartments and apertured to receive andsupport a plu.- rality of bottles, and v a coperating plate rigidly supported in fixed relation to the main plate and provided with apertures to receive the neck-portions of the bottles, substantially as described. il y 1.2. In a bottle-handling apparatus, the combination of a flexibleendless conveyer, guidesupportsover which said conveyer is arranged to travel, a series of .carriers revolubly mounted upon said conveyer, a series ofbottle.

holders each adapted to hold -a plurality of bottles, means upon each carrier for detachably holding a bottle-holder engaged With the carrier, a detent mechanism for holding the holders against rotation upon its trunnions in two positions of adjustment, and means for actuating said conveyer.

13. A carrier for endless conveyers comprising a main frame provided With crate-receiving Ways and a gate mechanism for controllingV said Ways comprising an angular gate member having its free end arranged to normal-ly stand in alinement with the Ways, a spring normally holding said gate member in operative position, a rocking cam interposed between said -gate member and a stationary part,jand. a,'ltriparm operatively connected with said rocking cam and arrangedv to project beyondv the margin of the carrier for engagement With a relatively stationary stop, substantially as described. y

14. In acarrier for endless conveyers, vthe combination of a main frame provided with tr ulnnions adapted for engagement with a iiexible conveyer, Ways upon said main frame for receiving a holder, and a gate mechanism for holding the holder Within the Ways of the carrier comprising a gate member having one of its ends arranged to project into alinement with the Ways, a spring arranged to hold said gate member in its normally projected position, a rocking cam arranged to act upon the gatel member to retract the same, and a triparm operatively connected with said cam.

15. In a carrier for endless conveyers, the combination of a main frame provided with trunnions adapted for engagement With a flexible conveyer, Ways upon said main frame for receiving a holder, and a gate mechanism for holding the holder Within the Ways of the carrier comprising a gate member having one of its ends arranged to project into alinement With the Ways,'a spring arranged to hold said gate member in its normally projected position, a rocking cam arranged to act upon the gate member to retract the same and a triparm operatively connected With said cam, said gate member being provided at its projecting end with a terminal antifriction-roller, for the purpose set forth.

16. A carrier for endless conveyers, comprising a rectangular main frame provided at each end With alined trunnions, a reversing- Wheel operatively connected With one of said trunnions, friction devices adapted to hold the carrier in various angular positions, one or more cross-frame members dividing the main frame into compartments, crate-receiving Ways arranged in opposed relation in each of said compartments, and one or more gate mechanisms controlling the delivery ends vof said Ways comprising a spring-pressed gate member arranged to normally project across the entrance to the Ways, a non-circular-shaped rocking cam interposed between a part moving With said gate member and a fixed part of the carrier, and a trip-arm rigid With the axis ofthe rocking cam and arranged to project beyond the 'lateral edge of the carrierframe, for the purpose set forth.

17. In a bottle soaking and rinsing apparatus, the combination of a soaking-tank and a rinsing-tank. an endless conveyer, guide-supports arranged to support and direct said conveyer through both said tanks, a series of carriers upon said conveyer each adapted to de- IOO tachably hold a bottle-holder, a series of bottle- IIO 

